McMenamin Irish Dance Academy

McMenamin Faculty

Aine McMenamin-Johnson, TCRG

Aine began Irish dancing in 1983 at the age of 4. In the two decades that followed, McMenamin-Johnson competed in seven World Irish Dance Championships as a soloist and five times in team competition, culminating in a 2nd place ranking, at the 2000 Belfast World Championships. Turning down an opportunity to dance in a major Irish Dance production, she decided to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). She is the only Irish Dance instructor in the Midwest to hold such a degree. Upon graduation, McMenamin-Johnson started the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Irish Dance Program in conjunction with UWM’s Celtic Studies program and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. As a result, McMenamin-Johnson is on staff at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she teaches World Movement Traditions: Irish Step Dance. She has awarded the respected T.C.R.G. certification, for her experience and competence, by the An Coimisiun’ le Rinci Gaelacha, the governing body of Irish Dance. Contact Aine McMenamin-Johnson

Elyse Transon

Elyse began dancing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the age of 5. After having a successful competitive dance career, she gave up competition to teach dance and attend the University of Minnesota. During her final semester, Elyse was contacted to tour the United States with a new dance show. After graduating with a bachelors in Spanish Studies she continued to work as a professional dancer and dance teacher. Elyse has performed all over the United States as well as in Ireland, Switzerland, France, Germany and Spain. Some of the highlights of her career include a residency in Downtown Disney dancing at Raglan Road, touring Europe with the talented cast of Gaelforce Dance and having some of her choreography showcased in the national touring production Rhythm in the Night. Between tours Elyse continued to teach dance workshops and earlier this year earned her TCRG. She has taught dance for over 10 years in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Delaware, Zambia and most recently implemented and lead a dance program in the Dominican Republic for the Mariposa foundation for girls. Elyse is thrilled to be back in Wisconsin after so much time away and could not be more excited to teach dance for a competitive school once again. Contact Elyse Transon

Celeste

Celeste started her dancing career with Cashel Dennehy and she very quickly found herself on many solo and team trips to Oireachtas and Nationals. After many years with Cashel Dennehy, Celeste moved to Kinsella Academy where she spent another couple years dancing until her life moved her around the country.

After two very serious dancing injuries, Celeste's competitive career was over, and dancing was put on hold. While rehabilitating, Celeste was able to use her experience teaching dance to tutor young dancers in their careers. While living in South Korea, Celeste was the ambassador for the Cambodian National Dance Team and traveled with them on tour before returning back to the states.

Celeste is currently also a dancer with The Milwaukee Irish Dance Company and working towards her TCRG.

Teresa Egan, TCRG

Teresa began Irish Dancing at age four in Milwaukee, WI. She moved to Cincinnati, OH to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in nursing at Xavier University, but her love for Irish dancing was not left in Milwaukee. She stayed in touch with the Irish dance community by assistant teaching throughout college. This year she was awarded the TCRG certification by the An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha. Teresa is currently serving as a nurse for the US Army at Ft. Bliss, TX. She looks forward to moving to Ft. Riley, KS this summer where she will be able to be a more active staff member at MIDA. Contact Teresa Egan